Grapefruit tree named ‘TR-1’

ABSTRACT

The new grapefruit ‘TR-1’ is provided. The variety is produced from a mutation of ‘Rio Red’ grapefruit, which can be distinguished by its outstanding features. TR-1 is a red grapefruit variety originated as a budsport mutation from Rio Red grapefruit and differentiating from the Rio Red grapefruit by a Red external color contrasting to the yellow with red blush from Rio Red grapefruit. The internal color is red with milder flavor reduced bitter taste.

Latin name of the genus and species:

Genus—Citrus.

Species—Citrus x paradisi Macfad.

Variety denomination: The new grapefruit tree claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘TR-1’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofgrapefruit (Citrus x paradisi Macfad), which has been given the varietydenomination of ‘TR-1’. The new grapefruit variety ‘TR-1’ originated inWeslaco, Tex., USA in 2004 as a budsport mutation from a ‘Rio Red’Grapefruit tree (not patented) in Weslaco, Tex. 78596. Budwood was takenfrom the budsport branch and grafted on C-22 bitter orange (‘Swingle’trifoliata x ‘Sunki’ mandarin) rootstock (not patented) in a greenhouselocated in Weslaco, Tex. ‘TR-1’ was planted in Weslaco, Tex. 78596 andobserved for several generations and found to be stable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Comparing “TR-1” to ‘Rio Red’ grapefruit, the external color of ‘RioRed’ tends to yellow with red blush, while ‘TR-1’ tends to red color.The ‘TR-1’ internal quality differs from ‘Rio Red’ having mild flavorand reduced bitterness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage (FIG. 4) and fruit of the new variety ‘TR-1’(FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) field grown for seven years, planted in 2010 (theage of the plant shown in the pictures was about 7 years old). Thecolors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of ‘Rio Red’ grapefruit fruit (left) and ‘TR-1’grapefruit fruit (right) harvested December 2017 from field grown sevenyear old tree.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of ‘TR-1’ non-degreened fruits (left) anddegreened* (right), harvested October 2017 from field grown seven yearold tree. *Treated with ethylene.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of ‘Rio Red’ grapefruit non-degreened fruits(left) and degreened* (right), harvested October, 2017 from field grownseven year old tree. *Treated with ethylene.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of a seven year old TR-1 tree showing thefoliage.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited inthe detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of thenew grapefruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘TR-1’. The claimed plant was asexually propagated bygrafting buds of TR-1 to C-22 bitter orange (‘Swingle’ trifoliata x‘Sunki’ mandarin) rootstock in a greenhouse located in Weslaco, Tex.After grafting, the trees were grown in the greenhouse for 18 months andplanted in Weslaco, Tex. ‘TR-1’ was grown around seven years in thefield at the moment of data collection.

Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximationsand averages set forth as accurately as possible. Descriptions orcharacteristics were taken on trees approximately 7 years of age, andthe descriptions relate to trees grown in Weslaco, Tex.

Color notations provided herein are made according to The Royal SocietyHorticultural Colour Chart, 2015, Sixth Edition.

It should be understood that characteristics described will varysomewhat depending on cultural practices, rootstock used, and climaticconditions and can vary with location and season. Quantifiedmeasurements are expressed as an average taken from a number ofindividual plants of the new variety. The measurement of any individualplant or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from statedaverage. The characteristic observed of the fruits being produced insideof the canopy when using C-22 bitter orange rootstock may vary accordingto the rootstock used.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Genus.—Citrus.        -   b. Species.—Paradisi.        -   c. Common name.—Grapefruit.-   Tree:    -   -   Vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Density of canopy.—Dense.        -   Growth habit.—Compact growth.        -   USDA zone.—9, 10.        -   Height.—3.75 M.        -   Trunk diameter.—(At 30 cm above the graft): 39.55 cm.        -   Bark texture.—Smooth.        -   Bark color.—Yellowish Gray 156 A&B.        -   Tendency toward alternative bearing.—No.        -   Crotch angle.—45°.        -   Branches bark color.—Light Olive Gray 197 C&D.        -   Bark texture.—Smooth.        -   Thorns present?.—Yes (small, younger branches only).        -   Thorn length.—0.5 cm (younger branches only).        -   Current year shoot color.—Yellow Green 147 B&C.-   Leaves:    -   -   Length.—10.76 cm.        -   Width.—5.17 cm.        -   Ratio of length:width.—2:1.        -   Blade margin.—Light to moderate crenate.        -   Leaf shape.—Oval.        -   Apex shape.—Acute.        -   Shape of base of leaf.—Acute to Obtuse.        -   Leaf texture, upper.—Glabrous.        -   Leaf texture, lower.—Midrib with bronchided secondary veins            forming secondary loops and arches never reaching the margin            of the leaf.        -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish Olive Green 137 A&B.        -   Color of bottom surface.—Moderate Yellow Green 146 C&D.        -   Petiole length.—1.33 cm.        -   Petiole diameter.—0.84 cm.        -   Petiole color upper.—Grayish Olive Green 137 A&B.        -   Petiole color bottom.—Moderate Yellow Green 146 C&D.        -   Wings present.—Yes.        -   Wings width.—1.25 cm.        -   Anthocyanin coloration in young leaves.—Not present.-   Flower:    -   -   Flowering habit.—Once a year.        -   Flowering period.—Middle February to beginning April.        -   Flower bud length.—1.67 cm.        -   Flower bud width.—0.76 cm.        -   Flower bud color.—White NN155 B&C.        -   Flower bud shape.—Rounded to Oblong.        -   Flower length.—2.51 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—3.52 cm.        -   Number of petals.—4.5.        -   Shape of petals.—Oval.        -   Petal length.—1.89 cm.        -   Petal width.—0.69 cm.        -   Petal color.—White NN 155 B Thru D.        -   Petal margin.—Smooth.        -   Petal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal length.—0.45 cm (Gamosepals with 4-5 apex).        -   Sepal width.—0.7 cm.        -   Sepal color.—Pale Yellow Green 149 D.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal margin.—Smooth.        -   Pedicel length.—1.16 cm.        -   Pedicel color.—Light Yellow Green N144 D.        -   Pistil length.—1.2 cm.        -   Pistil color.—Greenish white 157 D.        -   Style length.—0.95 cm.        -   Style color.—Light Yellow Green 150 D.        -   Anther length.—3 mm.        -   Anther color.—Moderate Yellow 162 A & B.        -   Stigma color.—Strong Greenish Yellow 151A & 153 A.        -   Ovary color.—Strong Yellow Green N144 A & B.        -   Stamen per flower.—27.        -   Stamen length.—1.2 cm.        -   Length of filament.—1.2 cm.        -   Amount of pollen.—Abundant.        -   Color of pollen.—Moderate Yellow 162 A & B.-   Fruit:    -   -   Fruit location on tree.—Inside of the canopy.        -   Quantity per cluster.—10.        -   Axial diameter.—11.5 cm.        -   Apical diameter.—10.15 cm.        -   Weight.—466.96 g.        -   General shape.—Spherical to Oblate.        -   Position of the broadest part of the fruit.—At the middle.        -   Navel.—Absent.        -   Oil glands per cm ².—43.8.        -   Oil gland diameter.—1 mm.        -   Peel thickness.—5.5 mm.        -   Ease of peeling.—Moderate to difficult.        -   Rind texture.—Smooth.        -   Albedo thickness.—3.5 mm.        -   Albedo color.—Light Yellowish Pink 29 C & D.        -   Quantity of fruit segments per fruit.—12.2.        -   Toughness of segments membrane.—Moderate.        -   Juice sac length.—1.83 cm.        -   Juice sac shape.—Elongated.        -   Juice sac length to width ratio.—6:1.        -   Juice sac color.—Moderate Red 180 C&D.        -   Juice color.—Moderate Red 180 B through D.        -   Juice soluble solids.—(Brix): 9.15.        -   Sugar acid ratio.—14 (in January).        -   Relative harvest maturity.—Mid-late season.        -   Harvest window.—October to March.        -   External color.—Vivid Reddish Orange 34 A thru C.        -   Internal color.—Vivid Red 45 A Thru D.        -   Seeds present.—2.75 seeds.        -   Polyembrony of the seed.—Present.        -   Seed length.—1.2 cm.        -   Seed width.—0.8 cm.        -   Seed color.—NN 155 A Yellowish White.        -   Seed texture.—Smooth.        -   Parthenocarpy.—Present.        -   Market use.—Fresh, juice and segments.        -   Keeping quality.—Good.        -   Shipping quality.—Good.-   Disease and pests:    -   -   Citrus greening (Candidatus liberibacter            asiaticus).—Sensitive.        -   Other diseases.—Not been tested.        -   Pests.—Not been tested.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of grapefruitnamed ‘TR-1’, substantially as illustrated and described herein.